CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- The East Carolina men's golf team opened the 2012-13 campaign Saturday by shooting 9-over 585 (291-294) during the first 36 holes of the Tar Heel Intercollegiate at Finley Course. The Pirates are alone in seventh-place, sitting 18 shots behind tournament leader Duke (285-282=567).

Junior Eric Brady had the top performance for ECU on Saturday, carding par-72 in each round. Brady is tied for 14th at even-par 144. Junior Ryan Eibner (75-72) and freshman Jacob Hicks (71-76) are tied for 29th at 3-over 147.

Senior Zach Edmondson fired a 2-over in each round is tied for 35th at at 4-over 148 (74-74) along with freshman teammate George Kilgore (76-72), who is playing as an individual.

Freshman Stephen Lavenets shot a 2-over in his ECU debut before carding an 8-over 80 in the second round to stand tied for 68th at 10-over 154.

The Blue Devils, ranked No. 21 in GolfWorld/Nike Golf Division Preseason Coaches Poll, hold an eight-stroke lead over Charlotte (289-286=575) and North Carolina (286-289=575), who are tied for second-place at 1-under. N.C. State (282-301=583) and UNC Wilmington (289-294=583) are tied for fourth-place at 7-over.

NC State's Albin Choi is the individual leader after two rounds at 7-under 137 (66-71). Rhys Pugh (66-71) of East Tennessee State and North Carolina's Patrick Barrett (69-71) and Michael McGowan (72-68) are tied for second at 4-under 140.

The third and final round of the Tar Heel Intercollegiate is set to get underway at 7:40 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16 with the Pirates playing alongside Notre Dame and Boston College. Live stats are available through golfstat.com.